Never doubt that a small group of people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has- M.M.

Friday, February 18, 2011

All I want is a Happy Ending

In the name of God, the most Merciful, the most Kind

I'm not sure why I had the strong urge to start this post with one of Islam's most important phrases. Probably because I have no idea how to go about tackling this topic.

Egyptians and Tunisians, insh'Allah (God willing) fought for a better government and a better world for themselves. Like many others do daily.

But this caught people's attention, because it was some crazy world history in the making; the use of technology and the mass dedication from younger generations to demonstrate peacefully as possible.

Whether things will get better, and whether the people can patiently work on keeping up reform are things we wonder and pray about.

But in the midst of that we are forgetting about the effect taking place in the middle east.

Libya, Iran, Bahrain, Jordan, Libya, Djibouti and I don't even know where else.

And these countries aren't quite getting the same media attention or hype. Maybe because now the thought of the situation is getting scarier. Maybe because the governments and pro-goverment supporters are lashing out violently. Maybe because it was only cool the first time. Maybe the media is giving it attention, but people are sick of it. Maybe it just doesn't quite have the same MLK Jr. feel.

I don't know.

What I do know is that these protesters are encountering a much more brutal backlash than the ones in Tunisia and Egypt. There are reports coming in from journalists and doctors in Bahrain saying things around them look like battle scenes. And it only takes a quick glance at Bahrain's twitter feed to get a live insight into the situation.

But in other places like Yemen, where phone and twitter access isn't as widespread, it's more difficult to gauge the situation.

Libyan and Jordanian protesters are meeting more or less violent reprisals as those in Yemen. Protesters are dying, the army is attacking, clashes are erupting.

Just today word came in about a grenade thrown at Yemeni protestors.

Libya has blocked foreign journalists and while I don't know much about what is going on in Libya apparently the situation is very grave.

I don't know why the world isn't watching and holding it's breath like it did for Egypt.

It's a confusing and scary time for many, and I don't know if there is a happy ending.

Many of these individuals have been living under mass poverty, widespread corruption and injustices.

And regardless of whether you believe in these demonstrations, mass violence in any situation should be worthy of our attention, our voices or at least our thoughts.

There were a lot of I don't know's in this post. This phenomena, situation, trend, whatever you want to call it, is giving way to a lot of different questions and is, in my opinion, generating the same response, I don't know.

EDIT: It seems in the few hours I posted this, media attention actually increased a little.

6 comments:

I have been wondering the same thing - Maybe (and I hope) I am wrong but sisters and brothers stop making duaas after egypt's Mubarak was thrown off.

We must NOT forget our other brothers and sisters fighting for their freedom right now.

I can only base myself on rumors but Libya seems worst then ever. Apparently the Benghazi army (Gaddafi's son's army) has sided with the protesters - but Gaddafi apparently is sending 3000 against them.

part of it is hype.. i think part of it is that the average american knows of egypt, but has never heard of libya, tunisia, djibouti, or bahrain (except that michael jackson had a housethere). maybe the media focused on egypt because of the strong alliance with america (and friendliness with israel).. maybe they even had some control of egyptian situation by telling mubarak what to do. and now? easier to look away... american gov't can only handle displaying so much hypocrisy.. with egypt and every country following, they're just playing it safe.. would be a great time for the world to deeply acknowledge american hypocrisy and double standards in foreign policy, as they stand solidarity with the PEOPLE of the middle east. its too bad we're so isolated to really "feel" whats happening, history in the making..

Often with the media, after a stories been covered, it's like let's look for the next theme. I don't know maybe people are tired / desensitised of hearing similar things, maybe it's the 'what can I do from here really?' thought getting in.